Pneumatic massage apparatus.



No. 720,865. PATENTSD man, 190s..

R. WATSUN. A

PNEUMATIC MASSAGE APPARATUS.

gmw Mgg PATENTBD FEB. 17, 1903.

R.4 WATSON. PNEUMATIC MASSAGE APPARATUS.

PPLIUATION FILED MAY 26, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL..

8. .wd F.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

ROBERT WATSON, OF VASHINGTON, BIS'IRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OFONE-HALF TO CHARLES A. KRAM, OF Y VVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF CO- LUMBIA.

PN-EU MATicNiA'ssA-G E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,865, dated February17, 1903.

` Application iiled May 26, 1902. Serial No. 108,967. (No model.)

To @Zi whom, it' may concern:

Be it known thatI, ROBERT WATSON, acitizen of the United States,residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Massage Apparatus, oi'which the following is a specification.

This invention comprises improvements in apparatus for the localtreatment of disease lo by air-pressure and vacuum, and it includes anair-chamber having an opening adapted to be closed by the part of thebody to betreated and having an air inlet and exit port, a reciprocativeplunger for com pressing and rarefying air within the cylinder, andmeans for automatically opening said port a number of times during thestroke of the plunger, thereby permitting the internal and externalairpressures to equalize and causing a series of compressions orrarefactions of the air within the chamber at each stroke of theplunger.

The invention also comprises means for opening the port a greater orless number of times during the stroke of the piston, as desired,thereby varying the degree of rarefaction or compression and thefrequency of said operations and other features of construction, In theaccompanying drawings, Figure l is acentral longitudinal section througha handpump embodying my improvements, the plunger being arranged Withinthe cylinder. Fig. 2 is a similar View, the plunger being upon theoutside of the cylinder. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly brokenaway, showing a pump arranged for causing various de grecs of suctionand compression during each stroke of the plunger and for varying thenumber of pulsations during each stroke. Fig. 4. is a longitudinalsection through a pump of dierent construction adapted for the samepurpose. Fig. 5 is'a side view of a pump in which both members areoctagonal in cross-section. Fig. 6 is a similar viewof the perforatedmember of the pump shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7of Fig. 5, showing also the stand. Fig. 8 shows in section two `squaretubular parts with a guard surrounding said parts. Fig. 9 is asimilarview in which the parts are elliptical; and Fig. l0 shows, partlyin side View and `partly in sectionfa modified form of pump for the samepurpose.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, A indicates a hollow cylinder ortubular member having a head l at its outer end, upon which is a tubularprojection 2, to which may be attached a flexible tube 3, having ahollow tip 4, the outer end of which is adapted to be applied to andclosed by the part of the body to be treated. The cylinder A is providedwith a transverse slot or opening 5 at a point intermediate of its endsand with similar openings 6,'7, and 8, spaced at suitable distancesapart and forming a longitudinal series of openings extending from thecenter toward 'theV open end of the cylinder A. Within the cylinder A isarranged a plunger B, consisting of a cylinder or tubular member, openat its inner end and having a cap 9, closing its outer end. This plungeris provided with a port 10 intermediate of its ends, which port isadapted to register with the ports in the cylinder A when the plunger ismoved longitudinally within the cylinder. The plunger is held againstrotation hy a guide-rod 1l, connected to the cap 9 and passing through aguide-openingin a projection l2 upon the side of the cylinder A. The end13 of the guide-rod is enlarged or bent, as sh own, to form a stopwhichlimiis the outward movement of the plunger by its engagement withthe projection l2. vWithin the space inclosed by the cylinder A andplunger B is a compression-spring 14, tending to force said cylinder andplunger apart. Suitable finger-pieces l5 are formed upon the cylinder A,so that the plunger may be forced inward against the action of thespring by placing the lingers upon the finger-pieces and pressing uponthe cap 9 with the thumb. In the outermost position of the plunger theport l0 registers with the opening 8, and as the plunger is movedinwardly said port will register successively with the ports '7, 6, and5, the port being closed While passing between the openings by parte uof the outer cylinder, which serve as valves for the port. Assuming theair-chamber formed by the cylinder and plunger and tubular parts leadingup to the piece -1 to be closed by the application of said piece 4 tothe roo port will be opened several times during the stroke of theplunger, allowing the interf; nal, and external air-pressures toequalize,

thus compressing the air within the chamber a number of times during thestroke of the piston. When the plunger is returned to its outwardposition by the spring, the port 10 is successively brought intoregister with the openings in the outer cylinder, and the air within thechamber is therefore raretied a number of times during the stroke of theplunger.

In Fig. 2 the plunger B.' is arranged upon the outer side of thecylinder A and is provided with an opening 18 near its central portionand openings 17 and 16, arranged in a series extending from said opening18 toward the open end of the plunger. The cylinder A' is provided witha port 102L 10b 10nl at a point intermediate its ends, with which theopenings 16, 17, and 18 register in succession as the plunger movesinward and in the inverse order as the plunger moves outwardly. In thisinstance the port in the pump-cylinder consists of the several slots 1010b IOC, rbc., arranged in the same plane around the cylinder at shortdistances apart, so that the slots in the plunger B must register withsome part of the port when reciprocated without the necessity of holdingthe plunger against rotation by a guide-rod.

In Fig. 3 the plunger B2 is provided with several longitudinal series ofopenings in its walls, the openings of the several series being spaceddifferent distances apart and each series occupying a different positioncircumferentially of the cylinder. As shown, three openings c, composingone series, are arranged at a considerable distance apart; ve openingsd, arranged closer together in a different circumferential location,compose a second series; openings e, greater in number and closertogether, form a third series, and openings f, still greater in numberand closer together, form a fourth series of openings. rIhe cylinder A2is provided with a port l0 intermediate of its length, and when anyseries of openings in the member B2 is brought in line with the port lOand said member is reciprocat'ed the degree of compression and suctionand the number of such operations during a complete stroke of the pistondepends upon the number and proximity of the openings composing theseries of openings in line with the port 10.

In order to maintain any desired series of openings in line with theport l0, the member A2 is provided with a flange 19 at its open end,which Hange is provided with openings 20, which form guides for aguide-rod 21, attached to the outer end of the lplunger and having a nut22 at its free end, which forms a stop to limit the outward movement ofthe plunger. By removing the nut the guide-rod may be inserted into theappropriate opening to bring any desired series of openings in line withthe port.

It will be evident that the plunger cannot be operated when a series'ofopenings is not in line with the port, as the ilange serves as a guardagainst which the guide-rod will abut when the rod is not line with oneof the openings 20.

As shown, the plunger B2 is provided With a knob or handle 23, whichcloses the outer end of the plunger, and a normally closedspring-pressed valve 24 is arranged in the wall of the plunger adjacentto the handle. If it is desired to create suction only within the pump,the spring-pressed valve may be held open by the finger during theinward stroke of the plunger and released during the outward stroke,this operation being reversed if it is desired to produce compressionwithout suction.V The cylinder A2 is also provided With trunnions 24a,by means of which it may be supported in suitable brackets.

In Fig. 4 the plunger B3 consists of a piston having a central opening,within which is fitted a tubular piston-rod 25, having a closedouterend. The cylinder A3 has a perforated cap 26, which supports thepistonrod, and arranged centrally within this cap is a long sleeve 27,forming a close-fitting bearing for the piston-rod, said sleeve having alongitudinal series of openings g therein at suitable distances apartand a series of openings h at its opposite side dierently spaced apart.A port 28 in the tubular piston-rod is adapted to pass the openings g insuccession as the rod is moved backward and forward or the openings hwhen given a semirotation, the operation being substantially the same asin the previouslyfdescribed fig- Aures.

In the gures heretofore described the tubular members of the pump arecircular in cross-section, and where the openings in one member arelocated in different circumferential positions it is necessary to'employauxiliary guide means for the purpose of guiding the members to maintainthe desired opening or openings in line with the port. `In Figs. 5 to 9,inclusive, however, the tubular members of the pump are not circular incross-section, and therefore cannot be turned relatively while fittinglone within the other.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 the tubular members A4 and B4 are octagonal, themember B4, which in this instance forms the plunger, having in each facea series of openings, as indicated by the lettersyl 7c l. Any series ofopenings may be brought intoline with the port 10 in the member A4 bysimply removing the plunger, turning it about, and reinserting in theouter member, no auxiliary guiding device being necessary to keep theopenings in line with the port.

It is desirable to prevent the port 10 from being closed accidentally bythe hand inwerking the pump, as such closure would prevent the ingressand egress of air, and the pump IOO IIO

would compress or raref y the air continually without interruptionduring the stroke of the plunger. This is accomplished in Figs. 5 and 7by mounting the pump in a yoke 30, which embraces the tube A*laterally', but is cut away, as shown,'opposite the port l0, leaving aspace 3l open to the atmosphere at the sides of the yoke. This openingcould not become closed except by design; but in order to providefurther against accidental closing or sealing of the port a tubularspindle 33 extends through the base of the yoke and through an openingin the top ot' a stand 30, which pivotally supports the pump. Thetubular spindle is open at both ends and cannot be accidentally closed.

In Fig. 8 the members Aand Bsare shown square in cross-section, and theport 10 is guarded bya circular tube 8,v'vhich surrounds the outermember.

In Fig. 9 the parts A6 and B are elliptical in cross-section, the latterbeing provided with openings in its opposite sides, either of which maybe brought into line withl the port 10.

In Fig. lO the cylinder A7 is provided with a tubular projection 3G,having au opening through which a valve-rod 37, connected to thepiston-rod 38, extends. This valve-rod has a series of openings 39 andintermediate valve portions 40, and these openings are broughtsuccessively into register with the opening 41 in the tube 36 as thepiston is reciprocated. The outer end of the tube 36 is protectedagainst accidental closure by a perforated guard 42.

It will be evident that the air-chamber may be opened and closed atvarious times during a stroke of the piston by various means, and I donot Wish to limit myself to the devices herein shown.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

1. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum, comprising a laterally-inclosed air-chamber having an openingadapted to be closed by the part of the body to be treated, and havingan air-port, a reciprocative plunger for compressing or rarefying theair Within the chamber and means connected with said parts forautomatically opening and then closing said port during the stroke ofthe plunger. I

2. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum, comprising a laterally-inclosed air-chamber having an openingadapted to be closed by the part of the body to be treated, and havingan air-port, a reciprocative plunger for compressing or rareying the airWithin the chamber and means connected With said parts for automaticallyopening and then closing said port a plurality of times during thestroke of the plunger.

3. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum comprising two tubular members, one member having a portin itsWall at an intermediate portion of its length, and the other memberfitting telescopically therewith and having longitudinal series ofopenings in its Wall arranged to pass said port successively when saidmembers are reciprocated, one of said members being closed at its outerend and the other member having an opening adapted to be closed by thepart of the body to be treated.

4. In an apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum, an airchamber having an opening adapted to be.

closed by the part of the body to be treated, said chamber comprisingtwo tubular members, one having a port in its Wall at an intermediateportion of its length, and the other member iitting telescopicallytherewith and having several longitudinal series of openings in itsWall, the several series ot openings occupying different positionscircumferentially of said latter member.

5. In an apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum, au airchamber having an opening adapted to he closed by the partof the body to be treated, said chamber comprising Iwo tubular memhers,one having a port inits Wall at an intermediate portion of its length,and the other member fitting telescopically therewith and having severallongitudinal series of openings in its Wall, the openings of the severalseries being spaced dierent distances apart, and the .several series ofopenings occupying different positions circumferentially of said lattermember.

6. In an apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum, an airchamber having an opening adapted to be closed by the partof the body to be treated, said chamber comprising two tubular members,one having a'port in its wall at an intermediate portion of its lengthand the other member iitting telescopically therewith and having severallongitudinal series of openings in its Wall, the openings of the severalseries being spaced different distances apart, and the several series ofopenings occupying different positions circumferentially of said lattermember, and guiding means for holding the members with any desiredseries of openings in line with the port.

7. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum comprising two tubular members', both angular in crosssection,one member having a port in its Wall at an intermediate portion of itslength and the other member fitting telescopically therewith and havingone or more openings in its Wall arranged to register with said portwhen said members are reciprocated, one of said members being closed atits outer end and the other member having an opening adapted to beclosed by the part of the body to be treated.

8. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum comprising roo IIO

two tubular members, both angular in crosssection, one member having aport in its wall at an intermediate portion of its length and the othermember fitting telescopicallytherewith and having longitudinal. seriesof openings in its wall arranged to pass said port successively whensaid members are reciprocated, one of said members being closed at itsouter end and the other member having an opening adapted to be closed bythe part of the body to be treated.

9. In an apparatus for the local treatment .of disease by air pressureor vacuum, an airchamber having an opening adapted to be closed by thepart of the body to be treated,

said chamber comprising two tubular mem-y bers, both angular incross-section, one having a port in its wall at an intermediate portionof its length, the other member fitting telescopically therewith andhaving openings in its walls arranged in dierent positionscircumferentially of said latter member.

l0. In an apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressureor vacuum, an airchamber having an opening adapted to be closed by thepart of the body to be treated, said chamber comprising two tubularmembers, both angular in cross-section, one having a port in its wall atanintermediate portion of its length, the other member fittingtelescopically therewith and having several longitudinal series ofopenings in its walls, the several series of openings occupyingdifferent positions circumferentially of said latter member.

11. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum comprising two tubular members, one member having a port in itsWall at an intermediate portion of its length and a guard, havingopenings therein, extending over said port, and the other member fittingtelescopically therewith and having a longitudinal series of openings inits Wall arranged to pass said port successively when said members arereciprocated, one of said members being closed at its outer end and theother member having an opening adapted to be closed by the part of thebody to be treated.

l2. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum comprising two tubular members, one member having a port in itswall at an intermediate portion of its length and a guard, havingopen-ings therein, extending over said port, and the other memberfitting telescopically therewith, and having one or more openings in itswall arranged to register with said port when said members arereciprocated, one of said members being closed at its outer end and theother member having an opening adapted to be closed by the part of thebody to be treated.

13. An apparatus for the local treatment of disease by air pressure orvacuum comprising two tubes fitting telescopically together and havingheads at their outer ends and having ports in their walls adapted toregister with one another when the tubes are reciprocated, one of saidtubes having an opening adapted to be closed' by the part of the body tobe treated, and a compression-spring arranged within said tubes andadapted to force said tubes apart.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT WATSON.

Witnesses:

C. A. NEALE, C. W. CLEMENT.

